According to a recent Dakota County Criminal Complaint, a female Apple Valley firefighter assaulted a coworker, damaged her car, and stole her cell phone all because the assailant was apparently jealous about a relationship between two other Apple Valley firefighters.

From the complaint:

On November 8, 2011 at approximately 9:30 p.m., an officer at a fire station in Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota was approached by firefighter J.A.W. who was crying, and yelling for help. J.A.W. stated that she had just been assaulted in the parking lot by a fellow firefighter, Trudy Jean Hagert, date of birth 6/30/1985, (defendant herein). J.A.W. stated that she believed that the defendant was upset with her because she did not approve of her new boyfriend, a fellow firefighter. J.A.W. stated that she believed that the defendant had tampered with her vehicle earlier in the week causing it to run poorly. As a result, J.A.W. had parked her vehicle at the station and was borrowing her mother’s car, which was then keyed by an unknown suspect. J.A.W. stated that she had come to the fire station that night to pick up some personal items and as she approached she could see the defendant near her parked vehicle in the lot. As she drove closer, she saw the defendant spray painting the word “Slut” on her vehicle, so she rolled down her window and took a photo of the defendant spraying the car. The defendant saw her and immediately attempted to reach into the car to take the phone. Unable to get the phone, the defendant opened the car door and began hitting J.A.W., pulling her hair and grabbed her by the neck with both hands strangling her. The defendant then pulled J.A.W. from the vehicle by her hair and J.A.W. fell to the ground on her knees and face. The defendant was then able to take J.A.W.’s cell phone and fled the area on foot.

Even though Apple Valley firefighters are paid-on-call staff, do you think that they should be permitted to date one another? Are you concerned with the safety of your home when firefighting staff can allow themselves to become embroiled in such petty drama which can escalate to high school level antics? Do you agree that the defendant should have had her home daycare license revoked in response to her behavior? Have you ever had to deal with workplace drama (directly or indirectly) due to relationship issues? Whatever you have to say about this one go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Sounds like she needs some help. We all have issues at times but what scares me is not only is she a firefighter but also a daycare provider. Looks like Dakota County took quick (1 wk) action to immediately suspend her license.

I agree with Patrick for the most part. I can see the conflict that might arise if a boss is dating someone that works under them, no pun, however in the big picture, we’re all (or should be adults) and able to separate personal from professional conduct.

Can they date one another? I don’t see why not as long as they follow what ever the general workplace policy on relationships is. I assume it is similar to what such a policy is for police officers. If not, perhaps it should be. I don’t have any issue with suspending her daycare license if she really acted the way it has been described. Someone acting like that is clearly not in the right frame of mind to be looking after young children.

I’d also question the character of such a person. But then this is just a complaint and no one has been found guilty yet.

Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment. Clearly someone has used some poor judgement here. We’ve all done some things in our misspent youth that we look back on and wonder what the hell were we thinking. Hopefully, T.J.H. will take this experience and gain some wisdom. One lesson for J.A.W. to take away is that not everyone in life wishes you well. Life is messy sometimes.

I about spit out my coffee when you decided to go down the road of “should they date”. Somehow I didn’t see that coming.

I figured your take would be more like, “How stupid do you have to be to spray paint “Slut” on the car of someone who is dating your ex-boyfriend and think you are going to get away with it? And to make it worse, you add assault and theft to the table even though everyone in your whole circle knows it was you who did the vandalism even without a cell phone picture.”

This stupidity is why she should not be allowed to care for other people’s children more than anything else.

Of course, the guy involved must be feeling pretty good about himself. He must be one of those beefcake calender firefighters! That is a story these two lovebirds can tell their children about someday.

I couldn’t care less if people in the workplace date one another and think it’s ridiculous when organizations make it an issue. Cases like this are the exception and in my opinion she has no place returning to the department.

As for her childcare license, it makes sense that a felony charge would result in her license being suspended. I’m not sure it should ultimately be revoked though considering the events took place well outside the context of her childcare work. Tough to say though, since I certainly wouldn’t want my kids under the supervision of someone that volatile.

Lets please remember you are only reading one side of this story. I see so many assumption being made here. This story is just taking on a life of its own- just what J.A.W wanted- More drama for her to be the center of attention.
Just a little food for thought- Had this been 2 male fire fighters mixing it up in the parking lot- would this be such a big story?
As for the Daycare license- Before you pass judgement on her skills as a daycare provider perhaps you should look into her track record with the state? She has been a spotless provider for years. With no history of any concerns as a provider is it fair that she have her license suspended based on what one person “said” happened? What happened in that parking lot no way presented a danger to those children. Based on the history of performance with both the Fire Department and her Daycare business- was there really a threat to those children? What ever happened in that parking lot , we may never know for sure.
And yes, I would return my child to her Daycare. If the state is/was concerned for the safety of the children based on the complaint- perhaps notifying the parents of the children in her care would be justified. Let the parents decide if they wanted to remove their children from her care. It is hard to find quality daycare- and she is one of the best. I think based on the complaint- it was premature to suspend her license.

As a spouse of an AV Fighter , I had no idea either that things were so exciting at the station! Who knew?

Joey- I agree- IF she tampered with the car’s mechanics and then returned to spray paint the car- that brings it to a whole different level. From what is in the complaint, the “brouhaha” was spontaneous at best , if it happened at all.
I just think based on what is in the complaint- she should have her day court before she is sliced and diced.

Sparky is probably right. The other lady probably spray painted slut on her own car, beat herself up, and stole her own camera.

For what its worth I did note that there are two sides to every story. In this case both sides are likely not worth hearing about. Its two adults acting like children. One or both should have removed themselves from the situation way before it escalated to this level. Both should be feel pretty stupid. Its also a black eye on the AV Fire Dept.

As to what should be done about her childcare license, I dont think there can be any other option than to remove her lic. She has been charged with a felony. The charge would not be made if there were not some basis. Once she has her day in court then she can either get her license back or not, but to do nothing invites disaster. I can just see the headlines if they did nothing about her lic and then something happened to one of the kids. Wow.

When doing a google search of the accused, there are far more returns requarding her participation in saving lives than in committing crimes. This is a person who has sacraficed much serving her community. Like all of us, she may have made a mistake. That is going to be determined in court. I thank God that all of my sins are not published on the internet. Having been involved in public safety for over 25 years, I have seen that what is published by the press usually lacks all the facts and truth. To paraphrase the Bible, he who has never sinned can throw the first stone.

also remember the female astronaut driving 1000 or so miles in diapers to confront another female astronaut who both were having a affair with a third astronaut (male). kinda makes you wonder what goes on in zero gravity:)

i’ve seen a fair amount of work place romance in my day, both good and bad. it all boils down to common sense, which during rutting season goes out the window.

Heyjude wrote: ” To paraphrase the Bible, he who has never sinned can throw the first stone.”.

The Bible also contains “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”. The problem with quoting the Bible in a criminal justice situation is there are just as many verses that can be used to support a different point of view.

I see your point about everyone makes mistakes, but if these allegations are true, this is not a mistake, its an intentional act. Yes, you could call it a “mistake of judgment” on the accused’s part, but every crime, no matter the severity, falls into that category, doesn’t it?

Also, considering the two are coworkers, it could just as easily be said that the victim here played a role in saving others’ lives in the past too. I am not sure how the perpetrators past heroic acts allow a free pass on this alleged crime.